Contents

Plot

The chapter begins with Nurse Joy and Professor Oak at the Violet CityPokémon Center wondering about a large black thundercloud in the shape of a spiraling whirlpool that suddenly appeared over the city. They check their watches, and the times they have are different. Professor Oak states that Bill had created a Time Capsule, and then he deduces that the Time Capsule must be creating a time warp. They run to check out the Violet Gym, only to find Gold facing Falkner and Articuno, who only returns to the Gym every four years. Professor Oak expresses his concerns for Gold, and his battle against Articuno. Gold offers to battle Articuno himself so that his Pokémon don't get hurt, but gets chastised by Falkner. He then realizes that having an Electric Pokémon would be helpful in defeating Articuno.

Suddenly, the time warp bursts through the roof, opens, and a Pikachu appears before everyone. The clouds clear from the sky. Pikachu instantly warms up to Gold, but upon seeing Articuno, jumps right into battle. Falkner states that it must be at an extremely high level, because it won't listen to its Trainer. Gold sends Totodile and Pidgey out to help Pikachu. Falkner transforms the Gym when he realizes that it is much too small for Articuno. Pikachu and Articuno exchange attacks: Pikachu uses Thunder while Articuno uses Ice Beam. Because Thunder is such a large scale attack, it misses. Gold yells to Pikachu that if Articuno is going to be weakened, it has to be hit with something like Thunderbolt. Pikachu refuses to listen, and its leg freezes because of Articuno's attack. Articuno readies another Ice Beam, but Gold commands Totodile to use Water Gun, thus creating an ice shelter protecting Pikachu. Pidgey pecks at Pikachu's leg to remove the ice.

Pikachu, although being a high level, agrees with Gold that it can't defeat Articuno alone. Pidgey distracts Articuno while Totodile utilizes the cold air around to create a pillar of ice leading to Articuno with its Water Gun. Pikachu strikes Articuno with electricity and tires out. Articuno then lets Pikachu fall to the ground and admits defeat by flying away. Falkner accepts defeat and awards Gold with the Zephyr Badge.

Major events

A Pikachu comes from the future, and helps Gold during his battle with Falkner.